Can Tails be used from NitroPC USB port?

NitroPad, NitroPC
1

Dear,
I like the idea of having a NitroPC with a reasonable secure OS like Qubes OS but it would be great if the NitroPC with its coreboot configuration would also allow starting up an OS (like tails) from a USB stick (instead of the Qubes OS) at boot. I assume this is possible, but since I understood the PC is hardened and since I do not know enough about coreboot I prefer to ask first if this will be possible before ordering.

thanks

2

Hey @wimvanaelst

I cannot confirm Tails explicitly, but overall booting an OS from a USB stick works, as this is the way how an OS is installed on the NitroPC.

best

1 Like
3

Dear Daringer,

if I understand it correctly this means that the boot order will always be still USB first - then internal hard disk, even once Cubes OS has been installed (and probably hardened) ?
I first thought this might not be the most secure solution, but since the hard disk will be encrypted, it might be the best practical solution.

So in practice, I could order a NitroPC with Cubes OS pre-installed, and then still use another OS on a USB stick (like Tails) that would bypass Cubes OS completely ? That would be perfect.

But if anybody could just do a test by booting Tails from a USB stick in a NitroPC with Cubes OS, that would be appreciated.

thanks,
Wim

4

So in practice, I could order a NitroPC with Cubes OS pre-installed, and then still use another OS on a USB stick (like Tails) that would bypass Cubes OS completely ? That would be perfect.

Yes, this should work, if Tails works at all.

5

That is indeed what I hope someone would be willing to quickly test so that our assumption could be turned into a verification. :wink:

1 Like
6

Just to confirm that I received my NitroPC yesterday. By clicking DEL during startup I get a boot menu and I was able to start Tails, so I can confirm it is working as promised by the Nitrokey specialists. Thanks !